Five people have been charged in connection to a fight with weapons on a Sunderland street.
At about 6.45pm on Sunday it was reported that a group of men were arguing in Ridley Street, in the Southwick area.
This escalated into violence with those involved carrying weapons. Vehicles were also being driven in a dangerous manner resulting in collisions and individuals almost being knocked down.
Officers arrived and then the majority of the group dispersed. Nobody was seriously injured.
Following this incident, officers have received a number of reports of further, linked criminality where cars have been set on fire on Ridley Street, Winslow Close and Southwick Road.
Luke Owen, 33, of Beatty Avenue, Town End Farm, Sunderland, and Shaun Nathan McGregor, 31, of Beechwood Crescent, Marley Pots, Sunderland, have each been charged with violent disorder.
David George Clark, 35, of Gordon Terrace, Sunderland, has been charged with violent disorder, dangerous driving, arson with intent to endanger life and possession of an offensive weapon.
Leigh Coulson, 31 of Gordon Terrace, Sunderland, has been charged with violent disorder and arson with intent to endanger life.
They are due to appear at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Craig Isherwood, 35, of Rochdale Way, Red House, Sunderland, was due to appear in court on Tuesday after being charged with assault of an emergency worker and assault of a PC.
He remains under investigation in relation to the disorder on Ridley Street but he has not been charged with any offences.
A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “Enquiries into the incidents themselves are ongoing and police are still trying to identify all of those involved.
“Anyone with information about the initial disturbance, or the subsequent car fires, is asked to call police on 101 quoting log 909 05/04/20.
“You can also report online using the ‘Tell us Something’ pages of the Northumbria Police website or call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
